Edge applying device



June 22, 1965 v3,190,783

J. TARNOK EDGE APPLYING 'DEVICE Filed March 12, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet l/48 INVENTOR JOHANN TARNOK www BYZ

June 22,1965 J. TARNOK 3,190,783

EDGE APPLYING DEVICE Filed March 12, 1963 l 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.JOHANN TARNOK BSYQ MC2 TTOR/VEY June 22, 1965 J. TARNOK 3,190,783

EDGE APPLYING DEVICE Filed March l2, 1963 4 Sheets-Shea?I 3 INVENTOR.JOHANN TARNOK June 22, 1965 J. TARNoK 3,190,783

EDGE APPL'YING DEVICE Filed March 12, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y INVENTORJOHANN TARNOK YSQM l M MII' mi" n N' m V United States Patent Oiiice i3,190,783 Patented June 22, 1965 Filed Mar. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 264,583 8Claims. (Cl. T66- 482) This invention relates to an edging applyingdevice for use in furniture and cabinet making. Specically, it relatesto a device for applying a plastic or laminated nood strip to the sideedges of a table top, desk, or other article of furniture. Reference ismade, for example, to a plastic strip made of formica, a product of TheFormica Company, now a division ot Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

One of the problem-s in applying such stripping to the corners of atable top or the like is the problem of cracking. Such corners arerelatively acute, and a relatively sharp bend is accordingly required inorder to conform the stripping to the configuration of the table top. Itis at this bend that cracking of the stripping frequently occurs.

It is the object of this invention to provide means for mechanicallyapplying stripping of the character described to the relatively sharpcorners of a table top, desk top, or other article of furniture.Specifically, this device supports that portion of the stripping whichis being bent, it causes it to be bent, and iirmly but progressivelyapplies it to the table top. It is the rm support at the point ofbending and the progressive bending of the stripping that prevents itfrom cracking, and securely and snugly applies it to the table top.

Briefly stated, the present device comprises an extensible frame onwhich a plurality of rollers are rotatably mounted, and on which rollersan endless band is provided. The stripping which is to be applied to atable top is held against the edge of the table top by means of saidband, the frame is caused to extend, and the stripping is progressivelypressed against the edge of the table top outwardly from the point ofinitial application.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the versatilityof the device herein described and claimed. By the'use of selectedactuating means, namely keys of diiferent configuration, the device maybe operated in two directions simultaneously, meaning both to the rightand to the left of a single application point, or either to the left orto the right, depending upon the needs of the individual job. Thus, itis possible by means of the present device to apply a stripping of thecharacter under discussion to a single corner of a rectangular tabletop, and to progressively press said` stripping to both sides of saidtable top which said corner joins. In other words, the stripping wouldconcurrently be applied both leftwardly to one side edge of the tabletop and rightwardly to the other side edge thereof. lf desired, saidstripping may be applied to said corner and then progressively pressedleftwardly against only one side edge of the table top. Or conversely,it may be pressed rightwardly against one side edge of said table top.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view showing the present device (mounting meansexcluded for clarity) in operative position relative to `an edgestripping being secured to a table top or the like. Y

FIGURE V1A is a side view on the line IA-IA of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1'.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view on the line 3 3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view, partially broken away and in section, of one ofthe band-supporting arms of the present device.

FIGURE 6A is a section on the line 6A-6A of FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view partially in section of the otherband-supporting arm. Y

FIGURE 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary section on the line 9 9 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is an end view of one of the roller assemblies shown on theline lil-10 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 11 is an exploded perspective view of the Y block assembly ofthis device.

FIGURE 12 is a View similar to that of FIGURE l, but 4showing one of theband-supporting arms in forward position, while the otherband-supporting arm remains in its retracted position. Y

FIGURE 13 is a view of one of the operating keys of said device, saidkey being adapted to operate both bandsupporting` arms simultaneously.

FIGURE 14V is a view of another key which is adapted to operate only oneof said band-supporting arms.

FIGURE l5 is a View of a third key which is adapted to operate the otherof said band-supporting arms.

FIGURE 16 is an end view of the key shown in FIG- URE 13.

FIGURE 17 is a section on the line 17-17 of FIG- URE 15.

FIGURE 18 is a plan view of a portion of a modified band or belt.

FIGURE 19 is a plan View of another portion thereof.

FIGURE 20 is a perspective View of said band or belt when said portionsare joined.

FIGURE 21 is a view of a modified roller system adapted to supporteither version of the band.

FIGURE 22 is al side View thereof on the line 22 22 of FIGURE 21.

FIGURE 23 is an end View on the line 23 23 of FIG- URE 21.

FIGURE 24 is a section on the line 24 24 of FIG- URE 23.

FIGURE 25 is another section taken on the line 25-25 of FIGURE 21.

FIGURE 26 is a fragmentary perspective view of a table top or the likehaving a beveled edge.

FIGURE 27 is a section on the line 27 27 of FIG- URE 26. v

FIGURE 28 is a view corresponding to that of FIG- URE 21, but showingone of the rollers in tilted position.

FIGURE 29` is a View showing how the present Ydevice may be clamped to aworkpiece.

Referring now to the details of the invention as illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, it will be observed that the edging applying,device 10 therein shown ncomprises the fol-lowing elements: a block orlframe 12, a pair of bars I4 and 16 slideably mounted in said block orframe 12, a bracket 1S mounted at the forward end of `bar 174, a bracket2!) mounted at the forward end of bar V16, a spring-urged telescopic rod22 mounted in bar 14 in generally axial alignment therewith, a secondspringurged telescopic rod 22 mounted in bar 14 in generally ,Y axialalignment therewith, a second spring-urged telescopic rod 24 mounted inbar 16 in generally axial alignment therewith, a bracket 26 mounted ontelescopic rod `22, another bracket 28 mounted on telescopic rod 24,

a pair of rollers 30 rotatably mounted on bracket 18, anotherpair ofrollers 32 rotatably mounted on bracketA 20, a third pair of rollers 34rotatably mounted on bracket 26, a further pair of rollers 36 rotatablymounted on bracket 28, an endless band 40 mounted on all of said rollerslast-above mentioned, and actuating means 42 for operating the deviceand causing said bars 14 and 16 or either of them to extend at theirforward ends. The actuating means 42 comprises the following elements:gear teeth 44 formed on bar 14 and converting said bar into a rack gear,gear teeth 46 on bar 16 also converting said bar into a rack gear, agear wheel or pinion 48 which is rotatably mounted on block or frame 12in toothed engagement with both rack gears, and a key 50 whereby saidgear wheel or pinion 4S may be manually rotated in either angulardirection.

When the gear wheel or pinion is rotated in the direction of curvedarrow 52, bar 14 is caused to move axially forwardly in the direction ofarrow 54, and bar 16 is caused to move axially forwardly in thedirection of arrow 56.

It will now be noted that the two bars are disposed at right angles toeach other, although this is not a critical aspect of the invention.They may be disposed at a somewhat more acute or somewhat more obtuseangle than 90 degrees, and substantially the same result as hereinafterdescribed will follow. In the operation of this device, a strip ofedging 60 is placed against the corner 62 of the edge 64 of a table top66 or like article or component of furniture. That portion of band 40which is situated between adjacent rollers 30 and 32 is placed againstthe edging to press it against the edge of the table top, bothleftwardly and rightwardly of corner 62.

It will be noted that the band 40 is caused to bend inwardly betweenadjacent rollers 30 and 32 in order to accommodate the corner of thetable top. Normally, that portion of the band which is shown to beindented or offset to accommodate the corner of the table top occupies agenerally straight line in a plane paralleling the plane in which theaxes of all four said rollers are disposed. To compensate for saidindenting of the edging, it is necessary to shorten the effective lengthof bars 14 and 16, that is, the distance between the rollers on oppositeends of said bars. This is achieved by means of the telescopic rods 22and 24 abovementioned, which rods move axially inwardly into said bars14 and 16 against the action 'of springs 70 and 72 therein. When thepressure on said indented portion of the band is relieved, saidtelescopic portions project outwardly in response to the action of saidsprings 70 and 72.

Thus far the description of this invention assumes that it is desirableto project both bars 14 and 16 concurrently and in the direction ofarrows 54 and 56. To accomplish this result, key 50 is used, since saidkey is provided with an elongated square shank 50a. Gear wheel or pinion48 is shown to consist of two gear wheel elements 48a and 48b. The teethon racks or bars 14 and 16 are offset from each other, since said racksor bars criss-cross in the manner shown in the drawing, and it will beobserved that gear wheel or pinion 48a engages teeth 46 of bar 16 whilegear wheel or pinion 48b engages teeth 44 of bar 14. These two gearwheels or pinions 48a and 48b operate as a single integral unit when theshank 50a of key 50 is inserted into the square openings 48C and 48d ofsaid gear wheels or pinions.

On the other hand, should it be desired to project arm 14 alone, asecond key 80 would be inserted, and it will be observed that this keyis provided with a relatively small rectangular shank 80a at its lowerend. This shank would engage gear wheel or pinion 48h and, consequently,only rack 14 will be projected. By the same token, yshould it be desiredto project bar 16 alone, a third key S2 would be inserted and its squareshank 82a would engage only gear wheel or pinion 48a. This would causebar 16 to project, bar 14 remaining stationary. It is simply a matter ofwhere the actuating shank portion is located and how long it happens tobe.` In the case of key 50, the shank is long enough to engage bothpins; in the case of key 80 the square shank is located at its lower endand adapted to engage gear wheel or pin 48b; and finally, the squareshank 82a on key 82 is so situated that it engages only gear wheel orpinion 48a. Stop means are provided for preventing rotation of the twogear wheels or pinions except when they are being actuated by the keys.This stop means may take the form of a pin or pins 84 which are mountedin block or frame 12 for engagement with said gear wheels or pinions43a, 48b.

In the use of this device, a clamp may be utilized to attach it to thework. This is illustrated in FIGURE 29 wherein the device is shown to bemounted on a board 100, said board being clamped to a table top by meansof one or more clamps 102. A spacer 104 is provided between thesupporting board and the table top so that the stripping may be appliedthereto. The clamp which is `shown in the drawing is merely illustrativeof the many conventional clamping means which may be used to attach thedevice to the work.

When a beveled table top edge 106 is encountered, it may be founddesirable to use the modification of the device which is illustrated inFIGURES 18 to 28. It will there be noted that an endless band 108 isformed out of two separate bands 110 and 112, respectively. These bandsmay be provided with any conventional form of locking means such as tabs114 and T-slots 116. The tabs are caused to engage the T-slots to formthe endless beit shown in 'FIGURE 2o.

The difference between belt portions 110 and 112 may be stated asfollows: When spread out in a at plane, belt portion 110 extends along astraight line. When belt portion 112 is laid out flat, its side edgesare curved to form a pair of substantially arcuate lines which areconcentric with each other. When belt portion 112 is placed against abeveled edge 106, it very readily conforms to the bevel and facilitatesapplication of the stripping thereto.

To insure such conformity to the beveled shape of the table top edge,the criss-crossed racks are provided at their forward ends with rollerassemblies 118. As FIG- URES 21-25 and 28 clearly show, one of therollers 120 of each said roller assembly may be tilted to any desiredangular position to conform to the bevel of the table edge. This may beaccomplished by the following mounting means: A bracket 122 is providedat the forward end of each of said criss-crossed racks. A roller 124 isjournaled therein in conventional manner. Adjustably secured to eachside of bracket 122 is a longitudinally slotted bar 126. A pin 128 and aclamp screw 130 are secured to each side of bracket 122 and they projectthrough the slot 132 of corresponding bar 126. Either of the two bars126 may be moved longitudinally of itself to the extent permitted by itsslot and pin 128 and screw 130 extending therethrough. Once it is settothe desired position, clamp screw is tightened and it remains in thatposition during the operation of the device.

Pivotally secured to one of the slotted bars 126 is a core on whichroller 120, actually a sleeve, is rotatably mounted. Pivotally securedto the other slotted bar 126 is a screw element 142 which engages core140. Said core and said screw element are provided with annular flanges144 and 146, respectively, which prevent axial shafting and dislodgementof sleeve 120. It will now be seen that when belt portion 112 ridesagainst tilted roller 120, it will assume the angle of said roller andwill conform to the taper of tapered edge 106.

It will be understood that the use of belt 108 is not essential in theoperation of this device, since an ordinary endless belt as shown in thefirst embodiment of this invention is sufiiciently flexible to conformto the angle both of tilted roller 120 and beveled edge 106.

The foregoing is illustrative of preferred forms of this invention, andit will be understood that modifications may be incorporated thereinwithin the broad spirit ofV the invention and the board scope of theclaims.

What is Claimed is:

1. A device for applying edging to table tops, desk tops and otherfurniture tops, said device comprising a frame, clamp means adapted tosecure said frame to a table top, a pair of criss-crossed racks on saidframe, each of said racks being independently movable longitudinally ofitself relative to said frame, forwardly toward the edge of said tabletop and rearwardly away from said edge, rollers mounted at the forwardand back ends of said racks, a relatively iiexible band mounted onsaidrollers, said band being engageable, intermediate the rollers at theforward end of said racks, with edging placed against the corner of suchtable top, pinions rotatably mounted on said frame and independentlyengaging said racks, and key means engageable with at least one of saidpinions'to rotate said pinion and thereby to drive the rack with whichit is engaged, whereby said rack may be driven forwardly to press saidband against said edging and thereby force the edging against said tabletop edge.

2. An edging-applying device in accordance with claim 1, wherein theflexible band is endless, and occupies a horizontal plane when mountedon the rollers at the ends. of the criss-crossed racks, all portions ofsaid band being normally disposed in perpendicular relation to saidhorizontal plane.A l

3. An edging-applying device in accordance with claim 1, wherein each ofthe criss-crossed racks is provided at its back end with a spring-urgedtelescopic extension rod, the back end rollers being mounted on saidextension rods.

4. An edging-applying device in accordance with claim 1, wherein theflexible band is endless, a portion thereof which is disposedintermediate the rollers at the forward end of the criss-crossed racksbeing laterally offset from the rest of the band and being therebyadapted to conform to the contours of the corner of a table top having atapered edge.

5'. An edging-applying device in accordance with clairn 4i, whereinbrackets are provided at said forward end of the criss-crossed racks forsupporting the rollers at said end, said brackets being adjustable totilt said last mentioned rollersinto conformity with such tapered edgeof a table top.

6. An edging-applying device in accordance with claim l, wherein thecriss-crossed racks occupy parallel horizontal planes, one rack-engagingpinion occupying one of the planes, the other rack-engaging pinionoccupying the other plane, said rack-engaging pinions being coaxiallyaligned, each of said pinions having a central key-engaging portion.

An edging-applying device in accordance with claim 6, wherein thekey-engaging portion Y of each of said pinions-comprises a rectangularopening, said key being provided with at least one rectangular portionengageable with the rectangular opening of at least one of said pinions,whereby manual rotation of the key causes corresponding rotation of theengaged pinion and driving of the rack with which said pinion isengaged.

8. An edging-applying device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the keyis provided with a rectangular portion which engages the rectangularopening of both pinions whereby manual rotation of the key causes arotation of both pinions and thereby drives both racks.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 510,476 12/ 93Gould 74--422 1,878,796 9/32 Morse et al 268-63 2,212,220 8/40 Zweirzina268-132 2,473,275, 6/49 Brouns 156-481 EARL M. BERGERT, PrimaryExaminer.

1. A DEVICE FOR APPLYING EDGING TO TABLE TOPS, DESK TOPS AND OTHERFURNITURE TOPS, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A FRAME, CLAMP MEANS ADAPTED TOSECURE SAID FRAME TO A TABLE TOP, A PAIR OF CRISS-CROSSED RACKS ON SAIDFRAME EACH OF SAID RACKS BEING INDEPENDENTLY MOVALBE LONGITUDINALLY OFITSELF RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME, FORWARDLY TOWARD THE EDGE OF SAID TABLETOP AND REARWARDLY AWAY FROM SAID EDGE, ROLLERS MOUNTED AT THE FORWARDAND BACK ENDS OF SAID RACKS, A RELATIVELY FLEXIBLE BAND MOUNTED ON SAIDROLLERS, SAID BAND BEING ENGAGEABLE, INTERMEDIATE THE ROLLERS AT THEFORWARD END OF SAID RACKS, WITH EDGING PLACED AGAINST THE CORNER OF SUCHTABLE TOP, PINIONS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND INDEPENDENTLYENGAGING SAID RACK, AND KEY MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAIDPINIONS TO ROTATE SAID PINION AND THEREBY TO DRIVE THE RACK WITH WHICHIT IS ENGAGED, WHEREBY SAID RACK MAY BE DRIVEN FORWARDLY TO PRESS SAIDBAND AGAINST SAID EDGING AND THEREBY FORCE THE EDGING AGAINST SAID TABLETOP EDGE.